Entry requirements

Economics is more than just markets, models and capital. It’s the study of people, how we make decisions, how we organise our societies, and how we can predict human behaviour. If you're interested in understanding power, opportunity and society – read on.

The Bachelor of Economics is a three-year program that will teach you how to question, analyse, model and predict behaviour. Economics is central to decision-making in business, markets, trade, government, health, and a range of other areas.

Choose to study either one or two majors. Majors span topics from economic theory, applied economics and econometrics. Majors are also optional – if you prefer, you can study a mix of courses. For details, see the Majors tab.

Study at one of the largest, most influential and most prestigious schools for economics in Australia. The school is home to more than 70 staff, including experts in energy and climate change, productivity and efficiency analysis, and development economics.

Learn to think like an economist and understand how people make decisions, how markets operate and how the world works.

Fast Facts

Global standing

UQ’s School of Economics is consistently ranked in the top two per cent of research-intensive economic departments in the world. Our economics researchers also ranked in the top three in Australia in the 2015 ERA Outcomes.

Fast Facts

We're one of a kind

UQ is the only university in Queensland to offer a Bachelor of Economics. We're also one of the few universities to offer the program in Australia.

Teaching staff

Our teachers are tops

UQ is home to some of Australia's leading economics researchers who have earned a large number of prestigious awards, competitive research grants and fellowships. We also have specialist research centres including the Centre for Efficiency and Productivity Analysis.

Professional experience

Link up with industry and the profession

The Faculty of Business, Economics and Law's award-winning Student Employability Team (SET) helps students develop their careers with a range of professional opportunities. These include internships, mentoring programs, inspirational guest speakers and career planning advice.

Get a little help from your friends

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) are supportive study sessions for first-year students run by other students. PASS leaders have recently studied (and done well) in economics courses – and provide advice about studying and student life.

Professional experience

Research opportunities

During semester breaks, UQ's Summer and Winter Research Programs provide you with research experience working alongside some of the university’s leading academics and researchers. You just need to find a project relevant to your interests and apply.

Beyond the classroom

International experience – UQ Abroad

We strongly encourage our students to spend time abroad with one of our international partner universities to diversify their knowledge and experience. Partner universities include the University of Wisconsin, University College London, and the National University of Singapore.

“Economics has given me a diverse and marketable skill set and global perspective that set me up to take on an interesting, exciting and worthwhile international career.” Verity Doyle, LLB (Hons I) / BEcon graduate (2009) Associate, Linklaters, London, United Kingdom

Professional experience

Research opportunities

During semester breaks, UQ's Summer and Winter Research Programs provide you with research experience working alongside some of the university’s leading academics and researchers. You just need to find a project relevant to your interests and apply.

Professional experience

Give back and grow your network

The Community Engagement Program (CEP) gives you opportunities to work on real-life projects with not-for-profit and community organisations. In small groups, you'll apply your classroom knowledge and experience, and develop your leadership and networking skills.

If you're ready for the challenges of a fast-paced career, this major is for you. The Business and Industry major concentrates on economic decision-making in the business sector. It covers areas like managerial economics, industrial and labour economics, the regulatory environment, and benefit/cost analysis techniques. As a student in this major, you'll develop critical skills and knowledge relevant to businesses in all sectors and industries.

Career outcomes

Graduates of the Business and Industry major typically work for industry bodies, government departments, consultancies and private enterprise.

The Economics and Public Policy major is an economics-centred, multidisciplinary major for anyone curious about how government intervention can affect economies in a globalised world. The major focuses on the analytical tools you'll need to design and evaluate public policies. Core courses examine public finance and regulatory economics, while electives include advanced microeconomics, macroeconomics, applied econometrics and a range of policy-oriented courses.

Career outcomes

Graduates of the Economics and Public Policy major typically work in public policy, government bodies, not-for profit organisations, private enterprise and politics.

The International Trade and Finance major focuses on the economic aspects of financial systems and emerging issues in the globalised world economy. As a student in this major, you'll study banking and international trade theories, and understand financial systems and the roles they play in economies. You'll also get to choose from advanced-level electives in areas including macroeconomics, econometric tools, financial management and the political aspects of economic globalisation.

Career outcomes

Graduates of the International Trade and Finance major typically work in financial institutions, government agencies, consulting firms, and Australian and international private enterprises.

The effective and efficient use of natural resources is a pressing social and political issue. The Natural Resources and Environment major will teach you how to apply economic tools to analyse problems associated with the allocation of renewable and non-renewable natural resources, including fish and marine resources; forests; agricultural and recreational land; river systems; and energy and minerals. As a student in this major, you'll develop the analytical abilities to understand the enormous challenges facing business, governments and the community at large.

Career outcomes

Graduates of the Natural Resources and Environment major typically work in public policy, environmental agencies, private enterprise, and mining and energy companies.

The Quantitative Methods major will allow you to contribute to better decision-making within the public and private sectors. As a student in this major, you'll learn about scientific methods of inquiry to measure, analyse, predict and model a broad range of economic scenarios. The major has a strong mathematical and modelling focus and will allow you to provide clear and evidence-based economic analysis. Advanced-level elective courses cover areas including econometric theory, productivity and efficiency analysis, statistics, and benefit-cost analysis.

Career outcomes

Graduates of the Quantitative Methods major typically work in research consultancies, management organisations, private business, and government-orientated enterprise.

Important dates

There are a number of dates and deadlines you need to meet when applying for university.

If you’re studying year 12 in Australia, a good resource is the
QTAC website, which
has information about the application process and closing dates. Note: what QTAC calls a “course” we call a "program".

If you’re applying directly to UQ, the closing date for
the Bachelor of Economics is: